Liquid-fuel-atomizing device



April 29, 1924,

W. W. WiLLIAMS LIQUID FUEL ATOMIZING DEVICE Filed Aug. 4 1920 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 April 29, 1924. 1,492,186

w. w. WILLIAMS LIQUID FUEL ATOMIZING DEVICE Filed Aug. 4. 1920 2 SheetS-Sheet 2 Minemms Patented Apr. 29, 1924.

NITED STATES WALTER W. WILLIAMS, 0F BLOOMING'ION, ILLINOIS.

LIQUID-FUEL-ATOMIZING DEVICE.

Application flied August 4, 1920. Serial No. 401,146.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WALTER W. WILLIAMS, a citizen of the United States of America residing at Bloomington, in the county of McLean and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Liquid-Fuel-Atomizing Devices, of .which.

the following is a specification.

My invention relates to liquid fuel atomizers for heating purposes in conjunction with the ordinary furnace, being used either alternately therewith or independently thereof.

The object of this invention is to produce a liquid fuel atomizer, burning any fuel oil, and capable of practical use either in conjunction with the ordinary house furnace or with larger heating plants.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved means for mixing the air and oil, which-results in a complete atomization thereof.

Yet another object is to provide special valve mechanism for automatically starting and stopping the device, and for regulating the operation of the fuel feed.

A furtherobject is in the provision of a single means for taking the air and oil, thoroughly mixed and under pressure, to the burner.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a by-pass for the diversion of excess air from the mixture expelled from the rotary pressure pump, thereby reducing in great part the roaring noise so common in oil burners.

Further objects will hereinafter appear.

The invention consists of the parts and the construction and combination of parts as hereinafter more fully described and claimed, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the liquid fuel atomizer;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view on the line 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view on the line 33 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view on the line 44 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the jet, showing the manner of mounting the jet in the furnace.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged sectional view of the jet.

Referring to the drawings in detail, A

indicates an electric motor mounted on a base B, and C a rotary pressure ump, the shaft of the motor furnishin t e axis of the pump designated as 1. rotator 2 is eccentrically mounted on the axis and rotates within a cylinder 3 having airtight ends 4. The rotator has three longitudinal slots, indicated at 5, said slots being parallel to the axis and running the full length of the rotator. In these slots are laminated vanes 6, slidable therein and acting as a seal under the influence of centrifugal force when the pump is rotating.

A packing gland is mounted between the motor and pump, said gland consisting of a flange bushing 6, mounted upon the pump axis or shaft, rotating with it. It is so placed that the pressure of the pump presses it outward against a leather or fibre washer 6", preventing oil and air from escaping from the pump.

When the motor is started and the pump rotated, a pressure is raised therein, which is communicated through connections 7 and 8 to the rear of diaphragms Within the primer and pressure valves 9 and 10 re-' spectively, said pressure being registered on the pressure gau e 11. The pressure against the rear of the iaphragm within the valve 9 acts on a valve mechanism, within a valve casing 9 similar to that shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings, descriptive of the pressure valve mechanism, and a pressure is communicated through the piping 12 to a tank 13 containing a priming fluid, said fluid being taken into the tank from a container 14 through a connection 15 having a ball check valve 16 therein. The pressure 'exerted in the priming tank forces the priming fluid, kerosene being the usual primer, through the piping 17 and the safety ball check valve 18 to the rotary pressure pum C.

At the same time that pressure is acting on the primer mechanism, a similar pressure is exerted against the rear of the diaphragm 19 in pressure valve 10, pressing inwardly an oil flow adjustment valve 21 on the rod 20, forcing said valve from its seat 22 to a position midway, or ap roximately so, between valve seats 22 an 23. The position of the oil flow valve is determined both by the pressure exerted on the diaphragm 19 and the tension of the spring 24, regulated by the adjusting nut 25 and connecting ll\ pipe 30.

means 26. The action of the valve mechanisms may be regulated to begin when a certain ressure has beenraised. An oil intake pipe is designated at 27, coming from -a fuel oil container, not shown.

When the diaphragm has been forced inwardly by pressure against its rear face, the

oil coming in from the intake pipe passes around the oil adjustment valve and into the pressure valve 10, thence past the outlet 28 and through the pipe 29 to the rotary pump C. Just before the entrance of either the priming fluid or the fuel oil into the pump, the are mixed with air from an inlet he above along with the mixture of the air and oil that takes place within the pump, produces practically a complete atomization. v

The mixture is admitted ahead of one of the laminated veins when the rotator is in such a position that the vein is extended; hence, the further movement of the rotator due to its eccentric mounting within the cylinder places thefuel mixture under pressure and forces it out of the pump through the pipe 31 to the burner, later described. As it has been found that an unrestricted amount'of air mixed with fuel and placed under reat pressure produces a loud roaring noise when the burner is in action, a bg-pass designated at 32 has been constructe to carry the excess air in the mixture back to its original entrance to the pump. An adjustment valve 33 is used to regulate the amount of air to be taken back.

The fuel mixture under pressure from the pump asses through the pipe 31 and then throug a speciallijet designated at 34. This jet, as shown in ig. 6 of the drawings, has a helix 35 mounted therein, said helix havin" radially mounted grooves 37 thereon, an cones 36 projecting from either end; said radial grooves and cones giving the mixture that passes therethrough a whirlin action. The nozzle of the jet opens at a slig it angle 38 and in conjunction with the whirling action set up by the helix and cones, the mixture comes out in a fine whirling va or.

The fuel penetrates the furnace and the jet pro'ects into a cylindrical chamber or burner esignated as 39, in such a manner that the jet is set at an angle with the inner wall of the burner, the spray from the jet being so directed that it travels approximately arallel to the inner wall thereof, causing the flame to travel about the surface of the chamber. It may be said here that the burner above described is referred to with relation to burners or combustion chambers as used in oil burning outfits as distinguished from the chambers, we will say, in internal combustion engines, wherein a mixture is exploded. A draft means for the burner is s own at 40. A pilot light, not shown, is situated within the furnace and just beneath the nozzle of the jet. This light furnishes the ignition means for the fuel mixture.

For a more complete understanding of the 'actign of the atomizer, its operation is recite The electric motor which operates the atomizinf device is started either by the action 0 a thermostat or by the throwing of inordinary switch in connection therewit The action of the electric mdtbr rotates the pressure pump and the pump produces a pressure that is transmitted to the diaphragms in the pressure valves, both primer valve and pressure valve; the pressure on the primer valve diaphragm acts on the valve mechanism therein and transmits pressure to the priming tank, wherein a How of priming fluid is forced to the rotary pump. This special priming mechanism -makes possible an immediate ignition of the fuel mixture from the pilot light, by greatly enriching the mixture, the ordinary fuel oils not being readily ignited at low temperatures. The primer valve mechanism is regulated to act but temporarily, or rather coincident with the starting of the device, and ceases automaticallywhen a hi h temperature has been raised and the or inary fuel mixture is readily ignitible.

Coincident with the priming valve action is the working of the oil flow adjustment valve. The pressure raised by the pump is communicated to the rear of the dia hragm in the pressure valve and the oil ow adjustment valve is forced from its seat 22 to an intermediate position, thereby permitting the fuel oil, formerly checked, to flow through the valve and by iping to the rotary pump. The tension of the valve is determined b a screw and spring means and hence the ow ma be regulated to produce the fuel mixture t iat is desirable.

The oil flow is automatically maintained due to the pressure valve mechanism. An increasing amount of oil entering the pump causes an increased pressure therein, therefore, an increased pressure on the pressure valve and a consequent reduction in the oil flow due to the movement of the oil flow adjustment valve between its seats. Also, a decrease in the amount of oil entering the pump produces a decrease in pressure, a consequent shifting of the adjustment valve, and an increased oil flow. Should this valve become clog by heavy fuel or dirt, the pressure in t e pump immediate] falls, thus allowing the valve to open wi er, permitting the obstruction to pass thro impairing the operation of the device.

ugh, not

.Both the priming fluid and the fuel oil are mixed with air just before their enare placed under great pressure due to the eccentric mounting of said pump. The fuel mixture is taken from the pum under pressure through a single tube to t e burner, an excess of air in the mixture being taken off, however, by a by-pass; this relief of the excess air pressure resulting in a comparatively uiet burner. The fuel mixture is expelled rom the device through a special jet mto a cylindrical chamber or burner in a fine whirling vapor that follows a path approximately parallel to the inner wall of the chamber.

As has been stated, the operation of the machine is automatic and a cemation of the motor and pump produces immediate loss of pressure, thereby a closing of the valve on its seat, resulting in a checking of the oil fiow and stopping of the action of the atomizer.

What I claim is:

1. In an oil burning device, the combination comprising, a rotary pressure pump for atomizing fuel mixture, an electric motor for )perating said pressure pump, a burner, automatic valve mechanism for re lating the fuel flow to the pump, said mec anism'controlled by the pressure raised within the pressure pump, and a single tube for transmitting the fuel mixture under prcmu're from said pum to the burner.

2. In an oil urning device, the combination comprising a rotary pressure pump for atomizing a fuel mixture, wer means for operating said pump, a fue supply tube for the ump, automatic valve mechanism for regu ating the fuel flow to the pump, said mechanism controlled by the pressure raised within said pum and means for taking the fuel mixture, un er pressure, from the pump.

3. In an oil burning device, the combination comprising, a chamber including a rotating member therein for atomizing a fuel mixture, automatic valve mechanism for regulating the fuel flow to the atomizing chamber, said mechanism controlled by the pressure raised within said chamber, and means for taking the fuel mixture, under pressure, from the atomizing chamber.

4. In an oil burning device, the combination comprising a rotary pressure pump for atomizing a fuel mixture, power means for operating said pump, a burner, automatic valve mechanism for regulating the fuel flow to the pump, means for supplying air to the said pressure pump, and means for transmitting the fuel mixture, under pressure, from the pump to the burner.

5. In an oil burning device, the combination comprising a rotary pressure pump for atomizing a fuel mixture, automatlc primer valve mechanism, said mechanism acting upon the initial movement of the. device, automatic pressure valve mechanism controlling the supply of fuel to the pump, means for supplying air to the said pressure ump, and means consistin of a single tu for transmittin the fue mixture, under pressure, from t e um 6. In an oil urnmg device, the combination comprising air and oil supply means, a burner, and means interposed between the air and oil supply means and the burner and communicating therewith, respectively, for receiving air and oil and for reducing the volume thereof, under compression, preliminary to discharge to. the burner.

7. In an oil burning device, the combination comprisin a compresor chamber, means for admltting air and oil thereto, a burner spaced from said chamber, means within said chamber for inducing a flow of air and oil thereinto and compressing and mixing said air and oil in said chamber preparatory to discharge to the burner.

8. In an oil burning device, the combination comprising a chamber, means for con ducting air and oil thereto, a burner, a rotor Within said chamber for inducing a flow of air and oil thereinto preparatory to discharge to the burner, said rotor being constructed to dischar e to the burner during each complete revo ution the air and oil taken into the chamber during said revolution.

9. In an oil burning device, the combination comprising a compressor chamber, a burner, means within said chamber for inducing a flow of air and oil thereto and com pressing same therein, preparatory to discharge to the burner, and a single tube for transmitting the fuel mixture, under pressure, to the burner.

10. In an oil burning device, the combination comprising a rotary pressure chamber, a burner, mechanism within said chamber for inducing a flow of air and oil thereto and compressing same therein, preparatory to discharge to the burner, power means for operating the mechanism ,Within said chamher and means consisting of a single tube for taki the fuel mixture, under pressure, from sai tIchamber.

11. In an oil burning device, the combination comprising a compressor chamber, a fuel supp y tube for said chamber, an air intake means in the fuel supply tube, a burner, and means within said chamber for inducing a flow of air and oil thereto and compressing same therein, preparatory to discharge to the burner.

12. In an oil burning device, the combination comprising a chamber, a burner, means withln said chamber for inducing a flow of air and oil thereto and compresslng same therein, preparatory to discharge to the burner, and automatic valve mechanism for regulating the flow to the chamber, said mechanism being controlled by the pressure raised 'within said chamber.

13. In an oil burning device, the combination comprising a compressor chamber, a

fuel supply tube, airintake means, a burner, and means within the com ressor cham- 5 her, including a rotor, eccentrically mounted with relation to said compressor chamher, for inducing a flow of air and oil thereto and complressing same therein, preparatory to disc arge to the burner. 10 14. In an oil burning device, the combination with a rotary pressure pump, of an automatic primer mechanism for supplyin prlmmg fluid to the pump upon the mitia movement of said pump, an automatic pressure valve mechanism for supplying fuel 15 oil to said pump, said mechanism controlled by the pressure raised within the rotary pressure pump.

In testimony whereof I have aflixed my signature.

' WALTER W. WILLIAMS. 

